re: What Obama And McCain Can Learn From 1884

sputnik102 — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:49:43 GMT

About Cleveland's child, the opposition used the chant "Ma, Ma, where's my Pa?" and when Cleveland won, his supporters chanted back "In the White House, ha ha ha!"

re: What Obama And McCain Can Learn From 1884

Ziggy — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:29:42 GMT

Interesting historical parallels, but I will also give you this: Grover Cleveland ran as a reform candidate against the Republicans, whose corruption played a major part in defining the era: the Gilded Age. There was a great slogan used against him: "Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine, the continental liar from the state of Maine!" - nicely summing up perceptions of him. As long as the democrats tie McCain to Bush (which McCain is doing plenty to help, placing nearly everything on the outcome of the Iraq War), Obama will be the insurgent change candidate. Bush is going to be a far worse albatross than Wright ever was. On the other hand, the "rum, Romanism, and rebellion" theme usually worked quite well, especially the last part. It is known as "waving the bloody shirt," painting Democrats as traitors for seceding from the Union. From Grant to Taft, (1869-1913) Republicans dominated the presidency, with Cleveland the only exception (twice!). That type of divisive politics worked then, and it continues to work now, I'm afraid. We'll have to see how well McCain can scare the American people and portray Obama as a traitor.